CEFIXIME

Cefixime is a semisynthetic, cephalosporin antibacterial for oral administration. Chemically, it is ( 6R,7R )-7-[2-(2-Amino-4-thiazolyl)glyoxylamido]-8-oxo-3-vinyl-5-thia-1-azabicyclo [4.2.0] oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, 7 2 -( Z )-[ O -(carboxy methyl) oxime] trihydrate. Molecular weight = 507.50 as the trihydrate. Chemical Formula is C 16 H 15 N 5 O 7 S 2 .3H 2 O The structural formula for cefixime is: I nactive ingredients contained in cefixime capsules 400 mg are: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate and mannitol. The capsule shell contains the following inactive ingredients: black iron oxide, butyl alcohol, dehydrated alcohol, gelatin, iron oxide red, isopropyl alcohol, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, shellac, sodium lauryl sulphate, strong ammonia solution and titanium dioxide. structure

Cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric six months and older with the following infections: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections ( 1.1 ) Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis ( 1.3 ) Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis ( 1.4 ) Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefixime and other antibacterial drugs, cefixime should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. 1.1 Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections Cefixime is indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months of age or older with uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis . 1.3 Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis Cefixime capsules are indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months of age or older with pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by susceptible isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes. (Note: Penicillin is the usual drug of choice in the treatment of Streptococcus pyogenes infections. Cefixime capsules are generally effective in the eradication of Streptococcus pyogenes from the nasopharynx; however, data establishing the efficacy of cefixime capsules in the subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever is not available.) 1.4 Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis Cefixime capsules is indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months of age or older with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by susceptible isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. 1.5 Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) Cefixime capsules is indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months of age or older with uncomplicated gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) caused by susceptible isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (penicillinase-and non-penicillinase-producing isolates). 1.6 Usage To reduce the development of drug resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefixime capsules and other antibacterial drugs, cefixime capsules should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antimicrobial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

· Adults: 400 mg daily ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Adults The recommended dose of cefixime is 400 mg daily. This may be given as a 400 mg capsule daily. For the treatment of uncomplicated cervical/urethral gonococcal infections, a single oral dose of 400 mg is recommended. The capsule may be administered without regard to food. In the treatment of infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes , a therapeutic dosage of cefixime should be administered for at least 10 days. 2.2 Pediatric Patients (6 months or older) The recommended dose is 8 mg/kg/day of the suspension. This may be administered as a single daily dose or may be given in two divided doses, as 4 mg/kg every 12 hours. Note: A suggested dose has been determined for each pediatric weight range. Refer to Table 1. Ensure all orders that specify a dose in milliliters include a concentration, because cefixime for oral suspension is available in three different concentrations (100 mg/5 mL, 200 mg/5 mL, and 500 mg/5 mL). Table 1. Suggested doses for pediatric patients PEDIATRIC DOSAGE CHART Doses are suggested for each weight range and rounded for ease of administration Cefixime for Oral Suspension 100 mg/ 5 mL 200 mg/ 5 mL 500 mg/ 5 mL Patient Weight (kg) Dose/Day (mg) Dose/Day (mL) Dose/Day (mL) Dose/Day (mL) 5 to 7.5* 50 2.5 -- - 7.6 to 10* 80 4 2 - 10.1 to 12.5 100 5 2.5 1 12.6 to 20.5 150 7.5 4 1.5 20.6 to 28 200 10 5 2 28.1 to 33 250 12.5 6 2.5 33.1 to 40 300 15 7.5 3 40.1to 45 350 17.5 9 3.5 45.1 or greater 400 20 10 4 * The preferred concentrations of oral suspension to use are 100 mg/5 mL or 200 mg/5 mL for pediatric patients in these weight ranges. Children weighing more than 45 kg or older than 12 years should be treated with the recommended adult dose. In the treatment of infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes, a therapeutic dosage of cefixime should be administered for at least 10 days. 2.3 Renal Impairment Normal dose and schedule may be employed in patients with creatinine clearances of 60 mL/min or greater. Neither hemodialysis nor peritoneal dialysis removes significant amounts of drug from the body.

Cefixime capsules are contraindicated in patients with known allergy to cefixime or other cephalosporins. · Contraindicated in patients with known allergy to cefixime or other cephalosporins.

Most common adverse reactions are gastrointestinal such as diarrhea (16%), nausea (7%), loose stools (6%), abdominal pain (3%), dyspepsia (3%), and vomiting. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ascend Laboratories, LLC at 1-877-ASC-RX01 (877-272-7901) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/m edwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most commonly seen adverse reactions in U.S. trials of the tablet formulation were gastrointestinal events, which were reported in 30% of adult patients on either the twice daily or the once daily regimen. Five percent (5%) of patients in the U.S. clinical trials discontinued therapy because of drug-related adverse reactions. Individual adverse reactions included diarrhea 16%, loose or frequent stools 6%, abdominal pain 3%, nausea 7%, dyspepsia 3%, and flatulence 4%. The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions, including diarrhea and loose stools, in pediatric patients receiving the suspension was comparable to the incidence seen in adult patients receiving tablets. 6.2 Post-marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been reported following the post-approval use of cefixime. Incidence rates were less than 1 in 50 (less than 2%). Gastrointestinal Several cases of documented pseudomembranous colitis were identified in clinical trials. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after therapy. Hypersensitivity Reactions Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions (including shock and fatalities), skin rashes, urticaria, drug fever, pruritus, angioedema, and facial edema. Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and serum sickness-like reactions have been reported. Hepatic Transient elevations in SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, hepatitis, jaundice. Renal Transient elevations in BUN or creatinine, acute renal failure. Central Nervous System Headaches, dizziness, seizures. Hemic and Lymphatic System Transient thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, prolongation in prothrombin time, elevated LDH, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, and eosinophilia. Abnormal Laboratory Tests Hyperbilirubinemia. Other Adverse Reactions Genital pruritus, vaginitis, candidiasis, toxic epidermal necrolysis. Adverse Reactions Reported for Cephalosporin-class Drugs Allergic reactions, superinfection, renal dysfunction, toxic nephropathy, hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, and colitis. Several cephalosporins have been implicated in triggering seizures, particularly in patients with renal impairment when the dosage was not reduced [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 ) and Overdosage ( 10 )] . If seizures associated with drug therapy occur, the drug should be discontinued. Anticonvulsant therapy can be given if clinically indicated.

· Elevated carbamazepine levels have been reported in postmarketing experience when cefixime is administered concomitantly. ( 7.1 ) · Increased prothrombin time, with or without clinical bleeding, has been reported when cefixime is administered concomitantly with warfarin and anticoagulants. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Carbamazepine Elevated carbamazepine levels have been reported in postmarketing experience when cefixime is administered concomitantly. Drug monitoring may be of assistance in detecting alterations in carbamazepine plasma concentrations. 7.2 Warfarin and Anticoagulants Increased prothrombin time, with or without clinical bleeding, has been reported when cefixime is administered concomitantly. 7.3 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions A false-positive reaction for ketones in the urine may occur with tests using nitroprusside but not with those using nitroferricyanide. The administration of cefixime may result in a false-positive reaction for glucose in the urine using Clinitest ®** , Benedict’s solution, or Fehling’s solution. It is recommended that glucose tests based on enzymatic glucose oxidase reactions (such as Clinistix ®** or TesTape ®** ) be used. A false-positive direct Coombs test has been reported during treatment with other cephalosporins; therefore, it should be recognized that a positive Coombs test may be due to the drug. **Clinitest ® and Clinistix ® are registered trademarks of Ames Division, Miles Laboratories, Inc. Tes-Tape ® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.